People around the league believe that Gore's only chance of landing the type of deal he seeks is in a return to San Francisco. 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula said Thursday that the team has already begun contract talks with the running back as well as with wide receiver Michael Crabtree, NFL.com reports.

"I mean, Frank Gore, we talk about all the things that he has -- you mentioned the leadership and the passion and all those things -- but let's not overlook that he is a prolific running back in the National Football League. I'm a big Frank Gore guy. I know those talks are ongoing now, starting this week along with our other free agents."

General manager trent Baalke also expressed a willingness to bring Gore back in 2015 Thursday, per the team's website.

"The last two games of the season, I think you saw what Frank still has left in the tank," Baalke said. "A very good football player. One of the most passionate, if not the most passionate football player I’ve ever been around. So, I still think he’s got it in him. I know that he still believes it. I talked to him the other day on the phone and we’re going to do what we can to get him back as a 49er."

Gore racked up 1,106 yards on 255 carries and grabbed 11 receptions for 111 yards while scoring a total of five touchdowns in 2014. He's crossed the 1,000-yard mark in eight of his last nine seasons.

VIDEO: 49ers coach Jim Tomsula tells Pete Prisco and Jason La Canfora about becoming the 49ers coach, working with Colin Kaepernick and how he wants Frank Gore and Justin Smith back in San Francisco.

An Instagram post from running back Frank Gore caught the attention of the 49ers front office.

On Sunday, Gore wrote, "I know the fans love me but I need to know if the management does," to those following him on the social media website. That caused the 49ers to call Gore, with the two parties discussing the intent behind the message.

“We reached out. He reached out back," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said, via The Sacramento Bee. "He wasn’t expecting [his post] to take legs like it did. Nor were we. He didn’t have any intentions by it and he made that very clear in our conversations.”

Baalke said the 49ers have continued talks with Gore's representation and that they are hopeful of reaching a new deal with him.

Gore is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career. With the 49ers in 2014, Gore rushed for 1,106 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers drafted Gore in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft.

"The last two games of the season, I think you saw what Frank (Gore) still has left in the tank… I think he’s still got it in him," Baalke said. "We’re going to do what we can to get him back as a 49er."

Gore, who will turn 32 in May, is set to become a free agent on March 10. He totaled 11,073 yards and 64 touchdowns on the ground over his 10-year career with the 49ers. He is the 20th player in NFL history to reach 11,000 rushing yards in a career.

Drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Gore totaled 11,073 yards and 64 touchdowns on the ground over his 10-year career with the 49ers. He is the 20th player in NFL history to reach 11,000 rushing yards in a career. Last year, Gore also cracked the 1,000-yard threshold for the eighth time in his career, registering 1,106 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He is set to become a free agent on March 10.

With running back Frank Gore likely to hit the free-agent market March 10, Gore is believed to be seeking a team which will give him an opportunity to amass another 1,000-yard rushing season, while also competing for a Super Bowl title, a source told The Sacramento Bee.

The 49ers have not decided whether to bring Gore back for his 11th season with the team. The team drafted running back Carlos Hyde last year to eventually replace Gore. During his 10-year career with the 49ers, Gore has rushed for 11,073 yards with 64 rushing touchdowns.